Desperately Seeking Suki Brings a Creative Evolution Through Honesty [MUSIC INTERVIEW]

Emerging UK/Australian alt-pop duo Desperately Seeking Suki — made up of Natassa and Danny — are carving out a shared creative identity built on instinct, honesty, and a collaborative approach shaped by experience. Danny brings a background that includes previous band work and his ongoing project SIG SALI, while Natassa’s path spans previous bands, session work, writing, and acting, all feeding into a process that values intuition over overthinking and connection over expectation.

Their debut single “Suki” marks the first official introduction to the project, arriving at a point where their ideas and working relationship aligned. As they look ahead to further releases, an EP, and upcoming live shows, Desperately Seeking Suki are focused on building a world that evolves naturally, guided by collaboration, growth, and a shared commitment to making work that feels honest and unforced.

I had the opportunity to speak with the band this past week.

Your debut single “Suki” introduces listeners to your world — what makes this song the right starting point for the band?

I think “Suki” felt like the right starting point because it was the first time everything really clicked creatively for us. It came out of a co-writing session with Kon, and there was something about it that just felt very clear in terms of identity and direction.

It kind of captures a lot of what the project is about – the blend of spoken word and melody, the emotional honesty, and that slightly more unconventional approach to storytelling.

It also marked a turning point for us, because when I sent it to Danny, it felt like the moment we both realized there was something here we really wanted to explore further. So it made sense for it to be the first introduction – it sets the tone for everything that follows.

What do you hope listeners feel the first time they hear “Suki”? Does this single differ much from the other songs on your forthcoming EP?

I think more than anything, I’d want people to just feel something honest when they hear it – whatever that is for them. Whether it’s something they relate to or something they can’t quite explain, just that sense of connection.

In terms of the EP, I think “Suki” definitely sets the tone, but it’s just one part of a wider picture. Some of the tracks lean more into that dance side, while others are more guitar-driven and indie rock, but they all come from the same place emotionally.

So it sits quite naturally within the project – it just happens to be the first doorway into it.

Were you involved in other bands or musical projects before this duo, and what did you learn from them?

Yes, we’d both been involved in other projects before this. Danny had been in a couple of bands and still has his own project, SIG SALI, and I’d also been in bands as well as doing session work and writing alongside my acting.

I think one of the biggest things we both took from those experiences was learning what doesn’t work for us. There was probably more pressure before – trying to make things fit a certain sound or expectation.

Going through that made us much clearer on what we wanted this project to be. We’re a lot more focused now on honesty and instinct, rather than overthinking or trying to force anything.

It also taught us how important the right collaboration is. Having gone through similar challenges, we knew coming into this that we wanted to be on the same page – creatively and in terms of how we work – and I think that’s what’s made this feel so natural.

“Suki” is described as a love song about life’s messy, beautiful moments. What inspired the feeling behind it?

I think it came from a shift in perspective for me. I’d met someone who really changed the way I saw things – especially around the idea that embracing every part of yourself, even the messier or more uncomfortable parts, is actually where the beauty is.

It’s not really a perfect or idealised kind of love – it’s more about accepting things as they are, and finding something meaningful in that. I think that’s where the feeling behind “Suki” came from, just leaning into those moments that aren’t always easy, but are still really honest and real.

The track blends spoken word with a big synth factor and alt-pop choruses. How did that structure come together?

I think it was really a combination of how I naturally write and working with Konstantin Kersting. We actually wrote it during a co-writing session together, so it all came together quite organically in the room. I tend to lean towards spoken word and more narrative-driven writing, so that side of it came quite instinctively.

Then working with Kon brought in that bigger, more electronic and synth-driven sound, which gave it a different scale and energy.

It wasn’t something we overthought structurally, it just evolved in a way that felt right for the track.

Natassa, your spoken-word delivery puts listeners right inside your head. Was that intimacy intentional from the start?

I don’t think it was something I conscously set out to do at first, it came quite naturally. I’ve never really seen myself as a traditional singer, so spoken word felt like a more honest way for me to express things.

Over time, I’ve learned to lean into that rather than hold back. It does feel quite exposing, because it’s so direct, but I think that’s also what makes it connect.

So it wasn’t fully intentional at the start, but it’s definitely something I’ve chosen to embrace.

The song embraces both chaos and joy in relationships. Why was it important to include both sides rather than just the romantic ideal?

I think because that’s just more honest. Relationships aren’t just one thing – they’re messy, they’re complicated, and they can be really beautiful at the same time.

I’ve never really been drawn to the idea of presenting something as perfect, because that’s not how it feels in real life. I think there’s something much more meaningful in acknowledging both sides.

For me, it was important that the song reflected that balance – the chaos and the joy – because that’s where the depth is. And I think people connect to that more, because it feels real.

What’s something outside of music that inspires your creativity more than people would expect?

Probably nature, in a really simple way. Things like being by the ocean, surfing, watching a moonrise or a sunset, those kinds of moments. I think being outside like that just creates space to think and feel things more clearly. It’s often when ideas come without trying too hard.

My dog Maggie as well – just being around her and being so present and uncomplicated has a big effect on how I process things. And then outside of that, things like films, theatre, acting, reading and writing – anything that feels quite immersive or rooted in storytelling.

I think all of those things influence the music in a way that’s maybe not always obvious, but they shape the feeling behind it.

When can we expect the next single or EP to drop? What do you see happening in your next chapter as a duo?

“Suki” is coming out on the 10th of April, and then we’ve got a lyric video shortly after, followed by an official music video. The second single will be around mid-year, likely June, and we’re planning to release another track before the EP as well. Then the EP will follow on from that.

We’ve also got some live shows coming up in November, so that’s something we’re really excited about – starting to bring everything into a live space and see how it evolves there.

In terms of the next chapter, it’s really about building things gradually and letting the project grow in a way that feels natural to us.

And yeah – if people want to keep up with it all, they can follow us or sign up on our website for tickets and updates, and also get our new single here.